Interlock mechanism



June 3, 1930. c. 0. BALL INTERLOCK MECHANISM Filed 001;. 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 3, 1930. cfo. BALL INTERLOCK MECHANISM Filed 001:. 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3513 zzzfi g Patented June 3, 1930 UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE CHARLES BALL, OF BIRM NGHAM,- ICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR To YELLOW TRUCK AND COACH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PONTIAC, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MAINE VINTERLOCK MECHANISM Application filed October 21, 1927. Serial No. 227,747.

This invention relates to motor vehicles of the so-called gas-electric type, wherein an internalcombustion engine is utilized to drive an electric generator, which in turn develops electrical energy to operate one or more motors connected, with the driving wheels.

More particularly, the invention pertains to an inter-lock between the control lever gov- V erning transmission of electric current to the motor and the starter switch for the eXplO- siveengine, for the purpose of eliminating possibility of accidental, starting when the controller lever is in other than neutral posi- With power units of this type, it is highly desirable that the .c'ontroller'b'e in neutral positionwhen thefengine is first started. In practice, it has been found that the operator occasionally will step on the engine starter button and accelerator pedal simultaneously with the result that when the engine starts, current in considerable. quantity is provided by the generator, andif the controller is in any position but neutral, the vehicle will move either ahead or back depending on -controller position. It is'quite obvious that these conditions present agr'ave accident risk, and it is to avoid these conditions with which the present invention is primarilyconcerned.

. A further obj ectof the invention is to pro-v vide asimple and inexpensive assembly of parts which will be economical 1n manufacture, easyto install and operate, positive and foolproofin action, and unlikely to get out of repair or-require attention in use. I

Other incidental objects and features of advantage will be apparent from the-following detailed specification and the accompanyingdrawingain which drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatictop plan view'of an automobile :CllElJSSlSSllOWlIlgJIl a general way, a typical arrangement of the various units employed on gas-electric vehicles, the wiring; connections between theparts, and'the application of the present invention thereto Figure2 isra side elevation of the controller lever and-interlocking mechanism, with the controller lever moved out of neutral position; Figure 3.is*a similarview on a shgilitly larger 'scale'with the lever'in neutral or olifposi tion, Figure 4: is an end view partly in section and Figure 5 is a top plan view, of the structure shown in preceding figures.

7 Referring first to the diagrammatic illustration, Figure 1, the reference character 1 indicates the chassis frame assembly mounted on road wheels in the usual manner, which carries an internal combustion engine '2 in the fore part thereof. To initiateoperation of the combustion engine a starting system is provided,,preferably consisting of an elec tric motor or starter 3, which turns the engine over by engagement with the engine flywheel, when the switch 4 is closed to supply current to the motor from a storage battery-5. Subsequent operation of the gas engine, depending upon the amount of fuel fed thereto, drives an electric generator or dynamo 6, which transforms mechanical energy of the gas engine into electric current. This, in turn, drives an electric motor 7, connected with the rear wheels to propel the vehicle. Transmission of the electric current from the generator to the motor is under control of the operator or driver, by the manipulation of a hand operated shift lever 8, connected with a controller or circuit changer 9, whereby the movement of the lever from neutra l position, permitsvarious circuit connections to be established for propelling the vehicle either forwarder backward and at different speeds, in accordance with the posi tion to which the control lever is moved.

It may be observed that the controller 9, in no sense affects generation of current but simply acts as a switch, placing the wiring of themotor in several different combinations, in or out of the generator circuit. It is obvious'that however much the operator may race hisengine with the controller in neutral position, the vehicle will not move unless by gravity or some other external force. In order therefore, to eliminate possibility of transmission of electric energy to the driving wherein the controller lever 8 and starter switch 4 extend through the floor of the vehicle adjacent each other. A bracket or plate 10 fixedlysecured on the lower end of the lever 8, is pivotally mounted on a shaft 11 carried by the member 12, inclosing the lower end ofthe lever. Integral lugs or ears 13 on the member 12, are secured by bolts 14 to the floor of the vehicle, the bolts at one side also serving to fasten theplate15, to which is hingedly orpivotally'mounted on an axis.

substantially at right angles to that'of the shaft 11, a bracket or lever 16. This bracket or lever 16 has a cup-shaped portion or foot 17 overlying and surrounding the top of a button or stem 18 of thestarter switch,-which upon depression closes the circuit leadingv to' the starting motor -3. Depression of the starter buttonlS, therefore,zis controlled by the downward pivotal movement ofthe lever 16. i As shown in Figure 4, the contacting surfaces are preferably in the form of rounded knobs on'the bottom. of the cup-' shaped foot 17 and top of the button 18, to

. permit the parts to slide more freely on each other. The opposite end of the pivoted lever or bracket 16 extends upwardly beside the controller lever in the form of .a fan shapped or quadrant portion 19, which is preferably a segment of a circle having a center of curvature substantially at the pivotal axis at the lever 8, so asto conform with the are described I by a lateral projection carried on the lever 8. The peripheral edge'ofthequ'adrant orsector 7 portion 19 iscut away or notched as at 20,

at a point which coincides with the position 'ofsaid lateral projections when the control lever 8 is in a neutral position of control. This lateral projection comprises a U-shaped member 21 extending on either side of the lever 8, and a stud'22 passing through alined oper'tures in the member 21 and lever, and carrying'asleeve 23 screw threaded thereon, with a lock washer 24 interposed betweenthe Qmember 21 and sleeve 23.

tilting of the sector-19, andso limit the extent of. pivotal movement'of the lever. 16 in one direction. To limit the movement of the lever 16 in the opposite direction, an adjust able set screw26, provided with a lock nut 27 may be carried by the lever forengagey ment with the wall of the stationary 'support-i ing member12. On the other hand when the lever is moved out of neutral position the projection overlies the peripheral edg'e'of the segment and the engagementof these parts.

the'appended claims.

holds the lever 16 against swinging movement. Thus the control elements are arranged'in interlocking relation, and so long.

as the controller is in a position that permits transmission of energy from the generator to the motor, it will. be ilnpossible to start the engine. Since, therefore, the" generation of current may be initiated only whenthe gen- I erator circuits areopen, no power will be supplied the propelling motor and a.'stat1on-. ary. position ofthe vehicle'is insured J 7 While the invention has been described in: 7

terms thatare more or less specific, it is to be understood the invention is not limited, to exact, details shown, but that it is capable of such modifications as come within the scope of Havingdescribed invention, rtiaiini- 1.' Interlock mechanism of the, character described, including in combination with "a pair of pivoted control elements having axes arranged'in angular relation,-of a lateralpro- 'jection on one of the elements extending in proximity to a portion of theiother element, a

said portion having a curved surface conforming to, and lying in they are of movement of a the projection and having an'opening therein correspondingito the location of said,projection hen the first mentioned element is in e j a predetermined position of control the curved surface of said portion being adapted V to abut the projection to lock the second men-1 tioned element against movement when the first mentioned element is out said pre X o I I I o tion extending within sald opening during determined control position and said projecmovement of the second mentionedelement to hold'the first mentioned element against movement out of said predeterminedcontrol position.

described, including in combination with a pair of pivoted control 'elements.having pivotal axes arrangedin angular relation, of a lateral projection on one of the elements, an 7 extension on the other element of sector- J shape substantially conforming to the arc nscribed by said projection, the peripheral edge of which is adapted to engage'said element stationary when the first mentioned r3 element 18 positioned .within a predeterprojection to. hold the last 'm'entioned mined range e of its movement, the continuity of said 'peripheraledge extending thruout the-corresponding path ofv movement.

of said projection while the first mentioned element is withinsaid predetermined range of movement but ending therebyond to permit the movement ofthe second mentioned I 1 element when the first mentionedielement is outside said-range. 4 i r wherein said. lateral projection is provided with an. enlarged peripheral ringadjacent the end thereof which is adaptedv for engage-r 3. The combination set forth in claim 2, V

2. 'Interlo'ck mechanism of the character, J

- ment with the side of the sector shaped extension to limit swinging movement of the control element.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein a stop member is carried on said projection and is adapted for engagement with said extension tolimit the swinging movement of the control element in one direction.

'5. The combination set forth in claim 2, wherein a stop member is carried on said projection and is adapted for engagement with said extension to limit the swinging movement of the control element in one direction, and a second stop member is adjustably mounted on the control element for abutment with a stationary part to limit its movement in the opposite direction.

6. An interlock of the character described, including in combination with a switch, and

a control lever pivotally mounted adjacent thereto, of a pivoted member having its pivotal axis substantially at right angles to that of said lever, and having a portion thereof overlying and by its movement controlling the closing of said switch, and having another portion formed as a quadrant of a circle whose center is approximately the pivotal axis of said lever, a projection on the lever for engagement on the peripheral surface of the quadrant to hold said pivoted member against movement, the peripheral surface being' cut away at a point coinciding with the location of said projection when the lever is in a predetermined position of control, to permit movement of said member to close the switch only when said lever is in such predetermined position of control.

7. Interlock mechanism associated with a pair of control elements of a motor vehicle or the like to prevent manipulation of either element when the other is in a predetermined position of adjustment, including a pair of pivoted levers having their axes of oscilla tion arranged transversely of each other, a quadrant shaped portion on one of the levers,

'whose curved surface, whenthe lever is in an inoperative position, forms an arc of a circle, with a center substantially on the axis of pivotal movement of the other lever, and a stop carried by the last mentioned lever adapted for abutment with said curved surface.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES 0. BALL. 

